If you were asked to populate a list of current country music artists that with no frills and no variations lay down country music as country music was meant to be, Jason Eady would very have to be at or near the top of your list. And if you found yourself beset on all sides by ravenous legions of flesh-eating pop country music fans whose only bane was the authentic sound of true country music being blared in their general direction, Daylight & Dark just might be your ideal go to to win your ultimate escape.

As a followup to Jason Eady’s 2012, critically-acclaimed country offering AM Country Heaven, here comes a new one that picks up right where the old one left off, unflinchingly immersed in the traditions of country music, taking aim and hitting the bulls-eye at the heart of what country music truly is.

But despite the joys of AM Country Heaven, one of the one concerns I had with the record when reading back through my review was that it was a little too straightforward and mellow, with not enough variation or color to hold everyone’s attention. When talking with Eady recently, he said about this new album, “It’s a little more on the mellow side I think than ‘AM Country Heaven,’ not quite as honky tonk…” and I almost winced. Even more mellow? Eady continued, “To methe two styles of country music that I like the most are that barroom sound, and also the more Vern Gosdin, Don Williams, mellow side of it. And this one definitely leans that way.”

But the mellowness is not a burden on Daylight & Dark, it is where Jason Eady improved from his previous work. Where AM Country Heaven relied somewhat on the sheer countryness of the music, and the contrast that created compared to Eady’s previous musical direction, Daylight & Dark delves deeper into composition, poetry, and a linear story, stripping the music back even more to expose the soul and inspiration behind it.

Don’t go thinking there isn’t any good times or foot tapping on Daylight & Dark thought. Boiled down, this is every bit of a classic country drinking album, soaked in alcohol from stem to stern. It just takes a honest look at both sides of the drinking equation—the good times, and the consequences, and a life that bounces in between them searching for equilibrium.

Daylight & Dark finds Jason Eady paired up with his fiance Courtney Patton, who fans of his live show will be quite familiar with. Patton co-wrote three of the album’s tracks, and lends vocals on just about all of them, including the duet “We Might Just Miss Each Other.” “When we went into the studio, we had been singing those songs together for a year,” Eady explains. “Those parts grow over a long period of time, and makes it sound more natural.”

Two other famous names lend their talents to the lively track “A Memory Now” when Hayes Carll and Even Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours stop by the studio. Daylight & Dark is very much a Texoma effort, with geography being a player to the overall story and in songs like “OK Whiskey” about the scourge of Oklahoma’s government-mandated 3/2 diluted brew, and its followup “The Other Side Of Abilene.”

Where Jason Eady finds his sweet spot on the album is in these exquisite, understated, Don Williams-like songs that slow it so far down and strip it so far back that the raw manna of the music is exposed in all its pure, supple wonder. “Liars & Fools” is so tasteful and warm, and so referential to memory, it’s like crawling into a little country music womb. “Daylight & Dark” also captures this classic country warmth despite a little more tempo behind it. And then somehow Jason outdoes himself again, stripping it back even further in the sparse “Whiskey & You” that doesn’t leave a dry eye within earshot.

Sure, when you get this deep into the essence of true country music, you’re going to leave some folks behind. But Daylight & Dark isn’t for them, it’s for the folks that were left behind by what they now call country music many years ago.

32 Comments to “Album Review – Jason Eady’s “Daylight & Dark””

Quite new to this state and country I remember days walking gravelled roads on gray winter days back home dreaming of the orign of the music I love. Thanks to this album, I found back to dreaming. This time in a Streamliner overlooking cow pastures and Cedar trees. I’ve been searching for this since I laid my first tire prints on Texas soil in 2008, the new soundtrack to lifes stumble and strive. Thank you Jason!

Thanks for the heads up. This is real country. Something to note: “Whiskey and You” (as it was titled then) appears on Tim McGraw’s 2007 album “Let it Go.” If I could buy this album from Amazon mp3 I would’ve done it already.

Chris Stapleton and Lee Thomas Miller get writing credits, per Wikipedia. I wasn’t listening to Tim McGraw in 2007, except this song. I like his version a lot, plenty of telecaster and steel guitar. Plenty of truth and heartache.

Jason mentioned last night on Roots & Branches that there are 2 cover songs on the album. He talked about Whiskey & You in the show a little then sang it. I’m not sure what the other cover is yet. My wife thought it was Liar & Fools (Trishas) but Jason co-wrote that one. I’ve asked KNBT to post the show, we had a fun time talking to Jason & Courtney after the show.

Starting @ 3:00: “Waltz time the way all those Merle Haggard and George Jones song were all done … this record guy cuts him off before he ever sang one word… we can’t have a hit song on country radio in 3/4 time, and that just pissed me off”.

Can’t stop listening to this album. It really reminds me of Merle Haggard’s “Back to the Barrooms”. (I hate to compare because I think is very much his own artist) but by that I mean Jason has that real talent to make a song seem so simple, but really touch on the deeper things in life much like haggard. And that takes a real craftsman or artist. I like what you said Trig “this is every bit of a classic country drinking album, soaked in alcohol from stem to stern.” …….Just a side note it is soaked in a nice barrel aged bourbon as opposed to fireball.

I LOVE this record it is the very essence of what country music is supposed to be. hasn’t left the rotation since we got our copy a few weeks back. worth contributing to the fundraising campaign to support real country music and to be able to get an advanced copy. Early favorite for album of the year.

The mellow vibe on this record is amazing. I honestly thought his voice kind of got lost on AM Country Heaven. Seen him live and his videos on YouTube and thought that those performances sounded better than what was on that record. Daylight Dark really highlights his voice properly. Plus the songwriting has gotten better, good choices on the songs he didn’t write. Whiskey and You by Chris Stapleton is a modern day classic.

I can’t figure out how to order this one yet. I hate iTunes DRM and Amazon started that device verification mess. I was pulling the trigger on ordering it directly from his site (still listed as a physical autographed CD for $10). But, $7 for shipping and handling is kind of absurd sounding. $12.98 + shipping through amazon (although the 3rd party store support he uses ends up going to Amazon.com to process payments though…).

Tim McGraw and his “Truck Yeah” and the Autotuned wonder he has out now aren’t relevant to his rendition of “Whiskey and You” which is pure country gold. You can like slow and acoustic by a third party but it’s really not comparable in my opinion.

Maybe I am the only one, but does anybody else that listens to this new album think immediately of Randy Travis. I could hear Randy sing the majority of these songs. There are alot of similiarities in their voices.

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Saving Country Music promotes and disseminates information about REAL country music, the underground country music movement, as well as the underground and DIY movements of roots, rockabilly, bluegrass, blues, and some folk music.

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